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The rest of the Steward's argument the Judge could not hear, for

between the two discourses there had begun a dozen conversations,

jests, stories, and even disputes.

Thaddeus and Telimena had been forgotten by all the rest of the

company, and were absorbed in each other.-The lady was glad that

her wit had amused Thaddeus so greatly; in return, the young man

showered compliments on her. Telimena spoke more and more slowly

and softly, and Thaddeus pretended that he could not hear her in

the buzz of voices; so, whispering, he drew so near her that he

felt on his face the pleasant warmth of her brow; holding his

breath, he caught her sighs with his lips, and with his eye he

followed every sparkle of her glance.

Then between them there suddenly darted first a fly and after it

the Seneschal's flapper.